Stagg Forrest Takes AFM By Storm with Three World Market Premieres and Films Making Waves in Sitges, Austin, Toronto and Telluride! Canadian production company went to AFM with an impressively diverse slate of films and growing festival momentum, underscoring Stagg Forrest Films’ emergence as a distinctive voice in independent filmmaking!
On Day 5 (and the days before that) Stagg Forrest Films, the dynamic Canadian production company founded by producers Kate Forrest (on Right) and Myrthin Stagg (on Left): 
made waves at this year’s American Film Market (AFM) with three new titles in collaboration with award-winning director Dan Abramovici, poised to capture global buyers’ attention.
made waves at this year’s American Film Market (AFM) with three new titles in collaboration with award-winning director Dan Abramovici, poised to capture global buyers’ attention.Known for its bold storytelling and genre-blending slate, the production company arrived at AFM following a banner festival season that includes official selections, opening night films, and award-wins from Sitges Film Festival, Fantasia, Telluride Horror Show, FilmQuest, the Austin Film Festival and more.
Stagg Forrest Films’ growing festival presence has positioned the company as a major emerging force in independent cinema. With projects screening on multiple continents, the company’s dedication to championing new voices and unique perspectives continues to resonate with programmers, audiences, and buyers alike.
“AFM is an exciting opportunity to connect with distributors and partners who share our passion for bold, resonant filmmaking,” said Myrthin Stagg, co-founder of Stagg Forrest Films and producer: 
“Our focus remains on stories that move people, give people a moment to breathe, to laugh, to feel, to be entertained. With the world feeling heavier than ever, if we can offer even a small reprieve in someone’s day, that means everything to us.”
“Our focus remains on stories that move people, give people a moment to breathe, to laugh, to feel, to be entertained. With the world feeling heavier than ever, if we can offer even a small reprieve in someone’s day, that means everything to us.” Stagg Forrest brought three market premieres, all narrative features with one in pre-production and two in development, designed to appeal to global audiences seeking distinctive, character-driven narratives that transcend traditional boundaries.
FEATURE LINEUP
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Play It Again – A rom-com feature written by Dan Abramovici (top 1% Black List writer and Academy Nicholl Fellowship semi-finalist) and Liam Gareau, based on the Austin Film Festival Jury Award-winning short of the same name, Play It Again expands the beloved story into a heartfelt and comedic look at second chances and the messy beauty of love.
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The Tethering – From Dan Abramovici, the writer/director of Heirlooms (Audience Choice at Fantasia, Best Horror HollyShorts):
The Tethering is a haunting new feature that blends psychological tension with emotional depth. (Note: original story, not related to Heirlooms.) -
Contractions – Contractions – A found-footage occult feature that uses its unique storytelling structure to take the horrors of childbirth to their twisted extreme.
RECENT FESTIVAL FAVORITES
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Heirlooms – Fresh from acclaimed screenings at Sitges, Telluride Horror Show, and FilmQuest, Heirlooms (produced by Boundless Imagination, and co-produced by Stagg Forrest Films) earned an Audience Choice award at Fantasia and won Best Horror at HollyShorts for its deft blend of emotion and genre. Abramovici describes it as “a story about unprocessed loss, told through the peeling back of both memory and paint.” You can see a promotional video on this great film on this show.
Leopard – Recently made its World Premiere at the Austin Film Festival, Leopard mixes live action and animation to explore identity and belonging. “At its core, this is a heartfelt story about siblings and fitting in,” said Abramovici. “But made remarkable with wire-fu and badass anime. It’s small, and fantastic all at once.” -
“We’re incredibly proud of the creative integrity in this year’s slate,” said Kate Forrest, co-founder of Stagg Forrest Films and producer: 
“In a time when so much content feels manufactured, independent filmmaking matters more than ever. It’s where real voices, risks, and human stories still have space to thrive.”
“Play It Again is a romantic comedy exploring the gap between fantasy and reality in love, while The Tethering is a gothic horror about obsession as escape. Both push genre boundaries: one funny and heartfelt, the other a thrilling horror ride—but both are emotionally resonant,” said Dan Abramovici.
With an expanding international footprint and a slate that continues to surprise and inspire, Stagg Forrest Films came to AFM with a focus on meaningful stories, creative collaboration, and a shared belief in the power of independent film to move audiences everywhere. The company’s growing momentum across festivals and markets signals a powerful new chapter.
Stagg Forrest Films is a Toronto-based production company dedicated to creating bold, character-driven stories that resonate with audiences worldwide. With a focus on emotionally grounded storytelling and striking visual style, the company has produced award-winning films that have won top prizes at Academy-Qualifying festivals including Fantasia, Hollyshorts, and the Austin Film Festival. Stagg Forrest Films continues to champion distinctive voices and cinematic stories with heart, depth, and originality.
All of our News Staff at would like to thank everyone at AFM for again putting on a very successful, educational, and inspiring film event, with some very helpful Sessions!At the American Film Market, business gets done, but it’s also where the global industry comes together to gain the knowledge needed to stay competitive and move projects forward. The AFM Sessions are an essential part of that experience.
Over four days, AFM’s signature program featured conversations with more than 100 industry leaders across two stages, offering real-world guidance on the most essential topics shaping film and television today — from script to screen.
The Sessions deliver practical strategies, marketplace intelligence, and candid advice on the issues and opportunities driving the global independent business. These candid conversations don’t just reflect where the industry is now – they help set the stage for where the independent film and television business is heading in 2026 and beyond. Discussions cover every stage of the filmmaking journey, led by executives and thought leaders from all corners of the industry. Topics included Financing, Production, Distribution, Storytelling, Streaming, FAST Channels, AI, Diversity, and more.
